Wharfedale 24, Launceston 31

It took an injury-time try by Launceston full back Jon Fabian to finally separate the sides in a splendid EDF Trophy third-round match.

A win for the visitors had seemed improbable in the early stages of the game.

Wharfedale dominated the opening quarter, collecting 18 deserved points through excellent tries by full back Adam Whaites (seven minutes) and flanker Dan Solomi (20), plus a brace of 40-metre penalties and a conversion from centre Mark Bedworth.

The All Blacks had only full back Adam Staniforth’s reliable goal-kicking to fall back on as they struggled to repel the Greens’ attacks.

He converted three penalties (12, 14 and 23) to keep his side in touch at 18-9.

The Dalesmen continued to control the game until the closing minutes of the first half. Then came the hammer blows.

Having hardly mounted a serious challenge to the Wharfedale line-up, Launceston surged through twice for tries by stand-off Steve Perry (converted by Staniforth) and winger Hamish Smales.

At half-time home fans were staring in disbelief at a scoreboard showing an 21-18 lead for Launceston.

Territory and possession were more evenly shared in the second period.

Scoring was put on hold in the third quarter, as the teams fought fiercely for the upper hand.

There was another blow for the Greens when scrum half and skipper James Doherty was laid out (accidentally, ruled referee Andrew Vertigan) and after some minutes was helped from the field.

However, the reorganised team, with Joel Gill a competent stand-in at No 9, pressed on determinedly.

Another long penalty clearance by Bedworth (64) tied the score – only for Staniforth to reclaim the lead with his fourth penalty five minutes later.

That was awarded for a professional foul by home centre Andy Hodgson, who was yellow-carded for the offence.

Within two minutes the Greens were level once more, again courtesy of the Bedworth boot.

That was how things stood, despite frantic efforts by both teams, until Fabian’s late surge through the home defence clinched the victory.